**I planned our spring design seminar before the Covid-19 disruption. We had over 50 people signed up, but we had to adjust our plans to keep everyone safe. We ended up broadcasting the seminar live, sans audience, on Instagram, and posted it in its entirety on Facebook. We know that Spring Gatherings look a little different this year, but we hope that you can still find some inspiration and beauty for your seasonal décor, even if we are all gathering less right now. If it would cheer you and connect your friends and family, you could have a virtual party! Show everyone your thoughtful touches and enjoy each other via video!**
When starting to plan a party, I always find an inspiration piece—something that helps me set a theme for the event. For this setting, it was these beautiful bright and cheery napkins! You’ll see colors and motifs echoed from these napkins throughout this setting—from the front door to the dessert table!
Speaking of the front door, it is the first impression friends and family will encounter when they enter your home, so I always love to do “door-to-table” decorating. That just means that guests get a preview of the tablescape or chosen theme from the moment they are entering your home.
I tied the same blue check and pink bows on top of the topiaries that I used in the wreath. Bright blooms of white, pink, orange and yellow were used to tie in with the colors used on the dining room table. The blue & white check mimics the blue chinoiserie from the cocktail napkins. The rug and pots around the door tie it all together.
Okay, on to the tablescape!
I always have classic white dishes and neutral linens on hand that make setting the table so easy. They are a wonderful foundation to create many different palettes and themes. Once I put down the basics for the table, I began to bring in all the colors and playfulness of that adorable cocktail napkin. I referenced all the colors of the napkin in my floral arrangement and then filled the center line of the table with pots of limes and birds’ nests to represent spring. To finish the look, I added similar blue-and-white pots to the table filled with yellow begonias.
The monkey napkin rings (above) tied into the cocktail napkin as well, and small blue & white vases with fresh flowers decorated the place settings as a party favor for each guest.
The table setting below could serve for many occasions. Here, I tied a blue & white paper champagne bucket as the napkin ring. This would be perfect for a bridal shower or an anniversary dinner.
Blue & white paper placemats could add to the mix.
This same tablescape could turn to Easter in a “hop” by adding bunny napkin rings, cabbage placemats, and Easter bunnies to the center of the table.
Set up to serve drinks and desserts, the console was set with similarly-colored flowers and touches of blue & white to carry the theme throughout the home.
Display cabinets don’t always have to be just for displaying pretty pieces we never actually use. So many people lack storage, and this is a great way to get the best of both worlds. It’s all in how you arrange and group things: even the basic neutrals used for everyday living and entertaining look beautiful in this cabinet.
Remember, even in these trying times, there is always a moment to celebrate, and everyone can create beauty!
Happy entertaining!
Jennifer